NLFD veteran Henry Kydd named deputy chief

Seen in a May 2, 2007 Day file photo, veteran city firefighter Henry Kydd has been appointed deputy chief of the New London Fire Department, Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio announced Thursday.

Published March 22. 2012 11:11AM | Updated March 23. 2012 12:26AM

Kathleen Edecomb

New London — Veteran city firefighter Henry Kydd, right, has been appointed deputy chief of the New London Fire Department, Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio announced Thursday.

“Henry Kydd is a consummate professional and I look forward to working with him in this new capacity,” Finizio said.

Kydd, a battalion chief who has been with the New London department for 33 years, will serve during the transition to a new chief. Ron Samul, a 41-year veteran who has been chief for the past 27 years, intends to retire April 1, 2013.

Kydd was the top-rated applicant, according to the city’s personnel office, Finizio said. All applicants were from within the department.

“With the impending retirement of Fire Chief Samul, I believe the City is fortunate to have Henry Kydd serving the department in this critical role during this time of transition,” Finizio said in a statement.

Kydd’s current annual salary is $63,926. He will receive $87,500 as deputy chief.

When he is sworn in during a ceremony at 3 p.m. March 30, Kydd will become the city’s first minority deputy chief. The department has not had a deputy chief since 2004.

“I want to thank the mayor for this opportunity to serve the department that I love,” Kydd said.